Skook News Obituaries: December 19th, 2020
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Frackville, on November 28, 1944, a daughter of the late John and Lottie (Steve) Snokus.
She was the loving wife of John C. Plaxa. They celebrated 53 years of marriage on November 4.
Joanne was a graduate of Frackville High School, class of 1962 and then attended McCann School of Business. She retired from the former Alcoa in Lebanon after 25 years in customer relations
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church, Frackville, the Women Who Care Organization and the former Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary. Joanne enjoyed golfing and playing at Hidden Valley Golf Course.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her niece Vanessa and many, many friends.
She is preceded in death by her brothers John and James Snokus.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Women Who Care 1540 Sweet Arrow Lake Road Pottsville, PA 17901.
Due to the weather and current Covid-19 restrictions service details will be announced at a later date.
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Born on June 19, 1941 and raised in Pine Grove, he was the son of the late Albert and Dorothy Lengle Frantz.
Larry was a 1960 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
He was a Leather Cutter at the Garden State Tannery in Fleetwood for 43 years.
Larry was a life time member of the Friedensburg Gun Club, member of a father and son bowling league and was a baseball coach for many years while his boys were growing up.
He was such an animal lover and raised pigeons and doves. He loved spending time surrounded by his beautiful family and they will be left to cherish his memories.
Surviving are his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Joyce E. Brown Frantz; a sister Nancy L. Brown of Pottsville; his two sons, Craig and wife Sherry Frantz, Layne and wife Tracy Frantz; two daughters, Kelly and husband John Krause, Holly and husband Steve Schaeffer, all from Pine Grove; his precious grandchildren, Sarah, Brad, Amy, Logan, Laura, Brandy, Dustin, Tyler, Jacob and Makenna; great grandchildren, Lydia, Marleigh, Addison, Zachary, and Mason and a great grandson soon to arrive. He is also survived by his extended family, Kyle, Matt, Zach, Codi, Kyrstin, Holly, Mya, his life long friend Norman and numerous other relatives. He will also be missed by all his spoiled pets.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Dr., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 or Hillside SPCA, P. O. Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc, Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
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Jerome E. Kistler, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Manor Care Nursing Home in Lancaster, PA. He had resided there for the last several years.
Jerry was raised in Girardville by his late parents John and Mary Kistler. He was pre-deceased by siblings: Albert, Alberta, John, Anna and Agnes. Also by nephew John DeRubbo.
A graduate of Bucknell University with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, his work, usually with major defense contractors, took him to several states over his career. Even though he lived in many places over that time, Girardville was always home and Jerry very much enjoyed being with his extended family. Jerry was a quiet and plainspoken man who never got demonstrably angry. He was able to fix just about anything and his mechanical skills translated to a special interest in cars. He loved his family and lived simply, without a pretentious lifestyle.
Left behind to mourn his passing are nieces and nephews: Michael Coughlin, Kathleen Conway, Susan Jordan, Thomas DeRubbo, Paul Hubert and cousins Betsy Randall, Douglas Cassel and John Xenides. Jerry was thankful for good neighbor and relative Charles Savage for all his watchfulness and help through the years.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday December 22nd at St. Vincent dePaul Roman Catholic Church, Girardville folllowed by burial at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Jerome E. Kistler, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Manor Care Nursing Home in Lancaster, PA. He had resided there for the last several years.
Jerry was raised in Girardville by his late parents John and Mary Kistler. He was pre-deceased by siblings: Albert, Alberta, John, Anna and Agnes. Also by nephew John DeRubbo.
A graduate of Bucknell University with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, his work, usually with major defense contractors, took him to several states over his career. Even though he lived in many places over that time, Girardville was always home and Jerry very much enjoyed being with his extended family. Jerry was a quiet and plainspoken man who never got demonstrably angry. He was able to fix just about anything and his mechanical skills translated to a special interest in cars. He loved his family and lived simply, without a pretentious lifestyle.
Left behind to mourn his passing are nieces and nephews: Michael Coughlin, Kathleen Conway, Susan Jordan, Thomas DeRubbo, Paul Hubert and cousins Betsy Randall, Douglas Cassel and John Xenides. Jerry was thankful for good neighbor and relative Charles Savage for all his watchfulness and help through the years.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday December 22nd at St. Vincent dePaul Roman Catholic Church, Girardville folllowed by burial at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
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Darlene A. Spotts, 69, of Primrose, Cass Township, passed away on Wednesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest.
Born in Minersville, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Miriam Roberts Wolfe. She was a 1969 graduate of Minersville Area High School. She had been employed at Weis Markets, Pottsville; and she was also a daycare worker at the Pottsville Mission.
Darlene is survived by her husband of 47 years, Willis H. Spotts; two sons, Richard Spotts (spouse, Tammy), Danville, and William Spotts, Primrose; two grandchildren, Dylan Spotts, Houston, Texas, and Miranda Spotts, Danville. She is also survived by a sister, Betty Jean Lazarchick (spouse, Joseph), Primrose; nieces and nephews.
Services are private.
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Born in Wellsboro, August 21, 1948, a son of Mary Kogular VanOrder and the late Kenneth VanOrder.
Bruce was a Army veteran. He was a retired mechanic from Pitt Ohio Trucking, following retirement he worked for several years at Old Dominion Trucking.
He was of the Catholic Faith; a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Surviving are his wife, Chong Suk "Pae" VanOrder; his children, Grace, Melissa, Mark and Julie; numerous grandchildren; one brother, Kenneth Vanorder.
Following Bruce's wishes there will be no services. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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Born in Shenandoah on February 17th, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Antoz) Perlinski.
Theresa worked in the garment industry for many years which led her to being a wonderful seamstress both at work and at home. Besides that, she is also remembered for making the best pierogies.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Orlosky in 1990.
Theresa leaves behind a daughter with whom she lived with, Catherine Paretti with her husband Jack – Pottstown, 2 sisters, Anna Marie Orlowski – Pottstown and Irene Rooney – Falls Church, VA, and 1 grandson, John Paretti with Sarah – NJ.
A visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 23rd from 11am to 12pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Scripture Services will be held at 12pm with Msgr. Ronald Bocian officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Parish Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Due to Covid 19, all recommended state mandates and CDC guidelines will be followed,
To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com
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George was born in Pottsville, on May 3, 1934, a son of the late Theresa (Montag) and George Yeastedt. He was the husband of Charlotte Mae (Strange) Yeastedt. He was a graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School Class of 1952. George served in the U.S. Army as a SP3(T) stationed in Korea in the DMZ. He was employed as a Conductor for the Reading/Conrail Railroad. He was a Lifetime Member of the American Hose Co. Pottsville. He was once an avid HAM Radio enthusiast identifying as K3SLL. He enjoyed spending time with his family, puzzles, and over the years woodworking, hunting Sharp Mountain and fishing the waters of Stone Harbor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Jo (Lawson) Yeastedt and a son, Kristopher.
He was also predeceased by his siblings Clair Yeasted, Eleanor Forney, Marie Majestic, Marcella Montour, Rita Davis, Alberta Corttis, Vincent Yeasted, Robert Yeastedt and Cyril Yeastadt.
George is survived by his wife Charlotte, daughters, Marilyn Collins and her husband Dan, and Joanne Yeastedt, sons Jeffrey and his wife Lisa, Frederick and his wife Kristine, a step son, James Smith, and his wife Patricia. George is also survived by his grandchildren Tyler, Fred, Heidi, Daniel, Kristen, Niklaus, Ariana, Sophia and Madelyn.
All services will be private at the convenience of the family, inurnment in columbarium in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Veronica Sekellick Age 102 Born into This World July 14, 1918 Entered into Eternal Life December 16, 2020 On December 16, 2020 Veronica Sekellick, a long-time resident of Duncott, Cass Township, PA fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 102.
She was born July 14, 1918 in Duncott, one of thirteen children of the late Peter and Mary Verbosh. Veronica, affectionately known as Bunny began working in Philadelphia towards the end of WWII at a garment factory sewing shirt collars.
Bunny can be counted among the “Rosie the Riveters”, running a drill press and later spray-painting aircraft wing parts at the Budd Company, an aircraft parts manufacturer in Philadelphia. Her then boyfriend John always waited for her at the end of her 3 to 11 P.M. shift to walk her home. John and Veronica were later married in Philadelphia in 1943. A few years later, they relocated to Duncott where they settled and raised their family. Through the course of her life, Bunny voted in 14 presidential elections, dating back to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s time in office. During gatherings at the kitchen table she would talk of the challenges of growing up during the Depression years. Bunny’s passion in life was her love of her family, cooking and planting beautiful flowers in her garden. Veronica was a devout Catholic and a member of SS Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Minersville, PA. She was a member of SS Peter and Paul Ladies’ Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bunny also volunteered at Hillcrest Hall where she joined a group of parishioners who made perogies, halupkies and city chicken for social events. She could most often be found in her own kitchen preparing those same and other traditional meals, as she was a Mother to everyone who came through her door. Immediately after greeting you, she would ask, “Are you hungry”? Friends and relatives came from miles to eat at her table and never left hungry.
Veronica’s husband John D. Sekellick passed away January 2012; her son Msgr. John T. Sekellick went to his eternal rest January 2017.
Veronica was preceded in death by her brothers Michael, Peter, Andrew, John, George, and Joseph Verbosh; her sisters Mary Verbosh, Anna Gavaletz and Julia Ryan. Left to cherish her memories are her daughter Irene, husband John D. Gombola of Chantilly, Virginia; daughter Therese, husband Bret Bennett and their two children RJ and Valerie of Dallas, Texas; her sisters Helen Platko of Pottsville, PA, Bertha Petrishko of Saint Clair, PA, Irene Dallago of MarLin, PA and an abundance of nieces and nephews. Veronica’s unconditional love for God, church and family will live on through her children, and grandchildren. She will be missed as immeasurably as she was loved.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home, 104 S. 4th Street, Minersville, PA. Following CDC Covid19 Guidelines, visitation will be at the funeral home Saturday, December 19th followed by the 11:00 celebration of the Requiem Divine Liturgy at SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, officiated by the Very Rev Gregory J. Noga, Pastor. Interment will take place at SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Parish Cemetery, Llewellyn, Pa. Vichniya Pamyat, Eternal Memory Mom. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be submitted to SS Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 107 S. 4th Street, Minersville PA 17954. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, entrusted with the arrangements.
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